Are your travel plans realistic? Can you travel the distance you want in a day? Australia is a big country, just how big, find out here.
I remember years ago I was holidaying in California. And being from Australia you get many questions and everyone is always intrigued by your accent.
Anyway, I started a conversation with this twenty something lady and she was telling me she was going to visit Australia next year.
Her plan was to fly to Sydney, stay for two weeks and take day trips from there. Which sounds like a fabulous plan.

There are heaps of things to see and do around Sydney for day trips. Sydney has a fantastic zoo and aquarium. The Blue Mountains with walks and scenic look outs is a day trip. In the other direction is the Southern Highlands with more scenic points.
Visit famous Bondi Beach and other beaches near Sydney, take in a few National Parks.

Oh and I nearly forgot, visit the Opera House and climb the harbor bridge. Well the list goes on and there are more than enough things to see in and around Sydney to keep you busy for more than a fortnight.
But no. Her plan was to stay in Sydney and take day trips to Uluru and the Great Barrier Reef.
I looked at her and asked her again “what are your plans?”. And Yes sure enough she planned to stay in Sydney and drive to The Great Barrier Reef and Uluru for day trips.
But that is impossible I said, and informed her that Australia is almost the same size as the United States. No matter what I said, she would not believe me – If you don’t believe me then go and look at this map http://www.gov.

au/education/facts/dimensions/compare.htm.
Australia is the sixth largest country and the largest island in the world.
From Sydney to Uluru is 2,795km that is 1,735 miles and from Sydney to Mackay (middle area of the Reef) it is 1,715km about 1065 miles.
At least one thousand miles – one way. There is no physical way this trip can be done.
Even flying from Sydney to The Great Barrier Reef is at a minimum 4 hours one way flying time. And the Great Barrier Reef itself takes up an area half the size of Texas.
Now, I have not told you this to put you off coming to visit Australia. Far from it.

But just come informed. Enjoy your trip, visit the Great Barrier Reef and Uluru and Sydney they are all interesting and worthy of your time.
And when you visit, we’ll say G’day Mate.
Happy Traveling
Lisa Paterson.